Twenty five years old Megan Ellen Graham, of Satsuma, was arrested last Tuesday (07/28/15) as the result of social media on the internet. Graham was charged with stealing a woman’s purse from a shopping cart at the CVS in East Palatka. She was arrested on
one count of grand theft.

Deputy Wayne Jones reported that the victim was shopping at CVS on July 14th, when she realized that someone had taken her purse from her shopping cart. Deputy Jones also learned that a credit card belonging to the victim was used shortly thereafter in St. Johns County at a Hastings convenience store. The follow up investigation was assigned to Detective Spencer Reinert.

Detective Reinert was able to obtain video footage from the store which showed a man and woman walking out of the store after the woman grabbed the purse from the victim’s shopping cart. Detective Reinert enlisted the help of the Sheriff’s Office Crime Analyst, Kim Greenwood, who posted photos of the thieves on the Sheriff’s Office Facebook page. As the result of that posting, Detective Reinert received several anonymous calls identifying the suspects as Megan and Billy Graham.

On July 28th, Megan Graham voluntarily met with Detective Reinert at the Sheriff’s Office, and following an interview, was placed under arrest. She was released after posting $1,004.00 bond.

Detective Reinert noted “This arrest was made possible because of all of the tips and leads I received that stemmed from the Facebook posting.” He also noted that charges are pending in St. Johns County for both Megan and Billy Graham for use of the stolen credit card in Hastings.

The four years old victim who was reportedly strangled early Monday morning (07/27/15 at about 4:00 a.m.) at Westover Trailer Park, in Palatka, has passed away at Shands Hospital in Gainesville. According to hospital personnel, Braydan Anthony Trahern died at about 12:40 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. The Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct a post mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.

Eleven years old Ethan Grant Jones has been charged in the incident with aggravated battery resulting in great bodily harm. He was arrested Monday afternoon (07/27/15) and is presently being held in the juvenile detention facility in Gainesville. Putnam County Sheriff’s Office detectives will be conferring with the State Attorney’s Office regarding the charges against Ethan Jones once the post mortem examination has been completed.

An arrest has been made following the armed robbery of a Domino’s Pizza delivery driver late Sunday night (07/26/15 at about 11:00 p.m.) on Magnolia Street, north of Palatka. According to the original report by Deputy Caleb French, three males approached the delivery driver, and ordered him out of his car at gunpoint. The robbers then took his car keys, money and cell phone and forced the driver to walk away.

A follow up investigation by Detective Lynn Nicely identified one of the robbers as 16 years old Ronald Todd Dyess Jr. of Palatka. Officers searched for Dyess throughout the day Monday, and finally located him at the East Palatka McDonalds restaurant Monday evening. Rumors had spread that Dyess intended to have a shootout with law enforcement. Once he was located, Captain Joseph Wells assembled the Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team, but was ultimately able to take Dyess into custody without further incident. After being interviewed at the Sheriff’s Office, Dyess was charged with armed robbery, and transported to the juvenile detention center in Gainesville. The other two suspects are still being sought.

24 years old Alexander David Gonzalez, of Interlachen, was arrested early Sunday morning (07/26/15) after he reportedly hit another man over the head with a beer bottle at the Hi Level Bar in Palatka. Gonzalez has been charged with aggravated battery with a
deadly weapon.

Witnesses at the bar told Deputy Caleb French that 23 years old Dalton Driggers was standing at the bar when Gonzalez struck him over the head with the bottle. The attack was reportedly unprovoked. According to Deputy French, Driggers had scratches and abrasions on his head and arms.

Gonzalez was taken into custody without incident further incident. However, on the way to the jail, Gonzalez began yelling “hands up don’t shoot.” He also reportedly used extremely abusive language towards Deputy French and jail personnel. He is being held in the Putnam County Jail in lieu of $20,004.00 bond.

Putnam County Sheriff’s Office detectives are following up this morning on an armed robbery of a pizza delivery man late Sunday night (07/26/15 at about 11:00 p.m.). Deputy Caleb French initially reported that 22 years old Christopher Watson was delivering an ordered Domino’s pizza to an address on Magnolia Street north of Palatka. According to the victim, he was unable to locate the address, and stopped to ask directions from threemen standing at the corner of Oak Street. Instead of giving directions, the three suspects (one white male and two black males) pulled a handgun and forced Watson out of his car. The suspects took Watson’s keys, money and cell phone and forced him to walk away. The victim was able to get to another phone and notify the Sheriff’s Office. Deputy French found the victim’s car at the scene of the robbery.

Canine Deputy Emmitt Merritt, with his partner “Tango” located a discarded handgun and shirt nearby. Sheriff’s Office detectives are continuing the investigation.

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